Preparations for the upcoming opening of Massachusetts’ first commercial casino resort are in full swing as MGM Springfield is just a little more than two weeks away from opening doors for visitors.

Local news outlets reported Tuesday that the $960-million integrated resort had its mascot – a 600-pound golden lion – placed at its entrance ahead of the August 24 launch of the property. The lion was crafted by Las Vegas-based George M. Raymond Co. and will welcome visitors and guests of the complex from the valet area of its parking garage.

The MGM Springfield developer and operator, MGM Resorts International, is traditionally placing lions at the entrance of all its MGM-branded properties. Leo the Lion, as the mascot is called, has different versions and different heights and weights across the different MGM casino complexes. Most prominently, MGM Resorts International runs integrated resorts in Las Vegas and Macau, but its operations are not limited to the world’s two largest gambling hub, as, as it can be seen, it is a fortnight from expanding into Massachusetts.

MGM Springfield will feature the state’s first commercial casino after lawmakers and voters approved the legalization of Las Vegas-style casino gambling in 2013 and MGM Resorts was selected as one of the preferred bidders for developing a casino facility as part of a larger resorts and was issued the necessary license in 2014.

The Las Vegas-based giant’s property was originally expected to open doors last year, but design changes and construction of surrounding infrastructure hampered that initial plan from being realized.

Aside from a gaming floor, MGM Springfield, which is spreading across several blocks in downtown Springfield, will also feature multiple food and beverage options, a six-story hotel, different entertainment facilities, and a seven-story parking garage with spaces for up to 3,400 vehicles.

MGM Resorts has recently announced that the parking will be free of charge to visitors and guests of its resort when it opens doors, a diversion from the policy implemented by multiple casino operators across Las Vegas to charge patrons for parking.

As part of the terms of its gaming license, MGM Resorts has promised to hire around 3,000 people at its MGM Springfield property, most of whom from the city and the region. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission recently praised the company for being on track to reach that target and for the diversity of its staff.

According to data from subcontractors MGM has been working with, around 21.6% of the workforce hired has been represented by minorities. The casino resort operator has previously introduced a goal of at least 15.3%. Women have made up for 8.53% of the hired workforce, compared to a previously set goal of 6.9%, while veterans have comprised 8.95%, compared to a previous goal of 8%.

It has also been reported that 36.6% of the hired casino staff are represented by Springfield residents, and that 52.8% are members of minorities, compared to a previously set goal of 50%.

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